Travel Plans

I have to start out this post by saying this is the most action my blog has seen in several weeks as of late.  I’m sure it has something to do with me not having ANYTHING to do in preparation for out big vacation.  That, or I’m a major procrastinator and blogging seems like more fun than all the laundry, packing, organizing, cleaning that I should be doing instead. Rest well, all that will get done – I just don’t feel ‘stressed’ enough yet.  I work much better in panic-stricken mode.

So anyhow, seems like I have people ask me all the time how we manage to keep kids entertained on such a long trans-Atlantic flight.  To which I usually reply – “you’ve not sat in rows near the Brenne family on a trans-Atlantic flight now have you?”  HA HA  I’m not entirely sure we do it successfully – but we try.  And I have learned a few key things in the past few years.

Stock up on some new, interesting things and surprise them with it.  This time around Campbelle and Christian are much easier to entertain.  Campbelle has tons of new chapter books, Crossword puzzles for kids, stuff to make friendship bracelets, and a great Nellie Ryan book (have you seen these?  So so cool)

Christian has some Pokeman cards, Planet Earth coloring book, a sketch scribbler sheet (where you lift the thin sheet to erase.  He’s fierce at tic-tac-toe) and a great comic book sticker story board thing.

Beckett has a few small, noise-less (key there is noise-less) toys that will be new to him and couple new 'flap books’ – where you open a tiny door to see the picture behind.  I’m crossing my fingers and hoping this keeps him as entertained as they used to the other two at this age.

CRAFTS .  We load up on paper and crayons and stickers.  My kids never tire of that sort of thing.  We make sure that the crayons have a zipper pouch to store them in or they’ll be falling all over the plane.

MOVIES.  The great thing about flying SAS and to Europe is that each chair has their own personal TV screen and you can select what you want to watch.  This is one time that I won’t care if they watch 10 straight hours of tv…. even if its SpongeBob Square Pants. 

FOOD.  I have it – and have lots of it.  Especially in Beckett’s case.  Nothing can while away an hour like trying to get a one year old pointer finger into a tiny box of raisins to get one fished out.  And again, my rule on snacking goes out the window as long as it keeps them busy and quiet.

CLOTHES.  Changing into pjs just sets the mood for relaxation on a night flight – and helps to make sense that it is indeed night time.  And the same goes for changing back into regular clothes the hour or so before landing.  And, as I found out on my solo flight home with the kids from MSP, it’s a good idea to have extra change of clothes for the grown-ups too, just in case your baby gets a bit turbulence sick and vomits all over you.   Nice to freshen up after an episode like that.

 

This trip I found a great idea online for the older kids to keep them entertained.    I bought a zippered vinyl pouch and several letter stickers and other foam stickers.  The plan is to let them decorate their pouches how ever they want – spelling their names, or whatever. 

I also am including some laminated maps of the world and Norway… so whenever they ask ‘Are we there yet?’  I’ll be able to point them to their map and say “No - sweetest honeybear, we’re flying here – right over Idaho.  Just a wee bit longer.”

All of this stuff will be a surprise for them so it really should be fun.  I’m not too worried about Campbelle and Christian (knock on wood) – they are at a good age and really are generally well behaved kids.  My sweet Becks on the other hand…….  just keep us in your thoughts on Saturday – maybe even say a little prayer.  From door to door it will most likely be about a 20 hour day.  It’s long, and a bit crazy with little ones – but those greeting us in Gardermoen airport at the end of those 20 hours are so, soo worth it.

Tie-Dye Party

Oye-vey!  What a party.  I either came into it totally naive – or just really brave.  All I can say was thank goodness it wasn’t a party of 12 kids!!  Yikes.    And that that was perhaps the one and only Brenne tie-dye party. Ever.

And I guess, now that it’s all said and done and aside from Steph’s pants – dye eventually washes out of skin and the kids had a great time.  (Albeit a better time running through the hose in their undies afterward).

 

Aside from the tying part – the kids did most of the squirting themselves.

Everyone’s feet looked pretty much like this.  And some hands.

But the final creations turned out pretty good.  Now we are headed to do some errands and shopping – wonder if people will look at us strangely.

My little fashionista…  the leg warmers are a nice touch though.  :-)

Concert on the Green

One of the best summertime traditions we’ve had out here in Washington is joining a group of our dear friends every Tuesday night throughout the summer for a Concerts on the Green series.  I know I’ve posted about this group before – but its a group of friends that vary in size (as little as 6 to as many as 16+) and brings some type of salad or other dish to share.

And let me tell you – the serious foodies that are our friends – bring some amazing dishes to share.  This is NOT your momma’s potato salad crowd!! (ha ha).  :-)

In all the 5 summers we’ve been doing this, I’ve never remembered to bring my camera with so I can share a glimpse of the fun we have on these night.  But tonight, I finally remembered… and as luck would have it – got only this lousy shot (referring to the photographer – not the people in the picture of course) before the battery died.  Perhaps later this summer I’ll try to capture the essence.

And no fail, every week we leave the picnic:  1. with kids who have been run dogged tired from all the Frisbee chasing, hill sliding and dancing – 2. stuffed, full bellies of fabulous food – and 3. full and grateful hearts to have been in such good company with friends for an evening.

 

This is the salad I brought this week. 

Leif gives it an A

Mediterranean Rice Salad

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup long grain rice

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic minced

1 tsp fresh oregano, minced

¼ tsp pepper

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped

½ cup chopped green onion

½ cup chopped kalamata olives

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

 

1. Cook rice according to package.

2. In a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, pepper, red pepper flakes and salt.

3. While rice is still warm, add it to dressing and toss to combine. Let sit until cooled and then add the rest of the ingredients and toss to combine. Serve at room temp or cold.

Travel pillows

Starting to get some things organized for our big trip.  Having comfy travel pillows was on the list.  There’s a great photo tutorial on how to make these easy pillow at this great blog: 

Maya Made

The kids think it’s the coolest thing that they will have to go to sleep on the airplane.  Leaving on Saturday and not arriving until Sunday at Farmor and Farfar’s house sounds like such a fun, long adventure for them.  Funny – that’s the part I’m LEAST looking forward to.  At least they’ll have a cozy place for their heads.

Getting ready

Looking through all these photos of Norway makes me all the more anxious for our trip in just a few days. 

 

Bainbridge Garden Tour

I spent a lovely day with some friends over on Bainbridge Island today.  We took in 5 incredible gardens on their annual garden tour.  Each garden was unique and amazing – my pictures hardly do them justice. 

This picture was taken from the owners back patio – can you image waking up to this view?

Beautiful rose garden

Labyrinth. … something for August’s new garden?!?

This was my favorite garden – and the pictures really don’t capture the place.  It was most definitely my ideal plantings and color combinations.  And the house that went along with it wasn’t so bad either.  (ha ha – like $$$$$ not so bad)

And tucked away in a small little section of one garden (like 1/48 a small section) was this great little potted area.  This is more to my scale of what I can implement into my garden.  Can anyone identify some of these plants?  I’ve got a strip of yard to plant this fall.

And despite the overcast and rainy day, it was still a beautiful way to spend a Sunday.  I feel inspired by all the colors and textures and beauty of nature.

Oh Happy Day

Christian is the very proud owner of his first library card.  The deal I’ve worked with the kids is that as soon as you can write your name, address and phone number – you can apply for your own library card.  He’s been one motivated boy for the past few weeks and today he’s done it.

His card comes attached to a bracelet – and he wonders if he should just always wear it?  Hmmmm, maybe not!

11 months old

This is his serious, senior photograph pose:

I’m beside myself with giddiness that I’ve taken his photo every month for the past year (whereas with Campbelle and Christian I think I only made it about 5 months before forgetting)  Pish -  To the people who say the 3rd kid never gets the same ‘historical records’.  :-)

This month Becks has learned to cruise along furniture.  He seems desperate to take a step away from things – but no one’s quite ready for that yet.  We said goodbye to the formula and bottles and all the gear that confine him (how quickly a jumperoo goes from being a great fun, giggling place to his version of torture).

He weighs very nearly 24 lbs and 34 inches and wearing size 18-24 clothes.  Oh my!  He likes food – no doubt.  In fact, last night he and I split a burger!

Still happy, but his new mobility and curiosity has also given way to frustration and the occasional bang up.  He doesn’t like when we tell him ‘NO NO’ or close the door to Campbelle and Christian’s rooms.  He knows there’s all these great little toys and pieces in there and he’d so badly want to get his hands (and mouth) on. 

We’ll be in Norway for his birthday and are thrilled to celebrate with all our family and friends there. 

From my point of view

Come on! Someone had to do all the supervising.  And besides, I’m reading this really great book that just may become my new favorite (or at least make it onto my Top 5).  The Power of One, have you read it?

We are all digging this fantastic, warm weather this weekend.  Don’t you just love it when it perfect weather days land right on the weekend and a long holiday weekend to boot?  We headed to a one of the only outdoor pools that exist in the metro area. (Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration.  But trust me there aren’t many to be found. Oh how we miss Klahanie in the summer time.)

Beckett enjoyed his first time swimming.  It took him a couple minutes and then realized it’s like a giant bathtub and splashed away.

Happy 4th of July weekend

There is no better way to kick off a long holiday weekend then with the paper, coffee and one of these muffins enjoyed outside in the sunshine -  45 minutes before the rest of the house wakes up.  This is going to be a good, very good weekend.  Hope you all enjoy too!

“Sing us a song, you’re the Piano Man”

Only those Billy Joel lyrics that are now stuck in your head, sounded nothing like the music that Beckett has been belting out all afternoon!

La la la, de de da
La la, de de da da da